The recent acceleration in technological change has brought a lot of talk of universal basic income (UBI) as the future for developed economies. While there are a lot of formal arguments that could be made against this, I thought it better to present a vision for a better world, if robotics and AI really are going to automate a lot more processes. So if you’ll excuse the indulgence, here’s something a little different:
Better than UBI would be more teachers and classes of no more than 10
Better than UBI would be factory workers becoming repairers, instead of throwing away appliances
Better than UBI would be more builders and more affordable housing
Better than UBI would shared tax allowance for families, allowing one parent to stay home with the kids
Better than UBI would be talking to a real person at the call centre
Better than UBI would be reviving old crafts and craftsmanship
Better than UBI would be handmade shoes that last a lifetime
Better than UBI would be bespoke suits that do the same
Better than UBI would be more carers, more nurses, more counsellors
Better than UBI would be small organic farmers using automation to work their own land
Better than UBI would be people rewarding others who improve their lives
Better than UBI would be the pride that comes from providing for your family
